Former Long Island Congressman/gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio mixed it up on MSNBC yesterday, weighing in on the recent censure of Rep. Charlie Rangel and embattled RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s bid to retain his party leadership post.

Lazio called Rangel “a lovely man,” but said he sides with those who think it’s time for the Harlem Democrat to step aside, saying:

“I served with Charlie. I got along great with him. I’d like to call him my friend. I have to call him out on this: He should not be in that position. It is not right. It sends the wrong signal. It’s why people are frustrated and angry and they lose faith that government can do the big things, because they can’t get the small things right.”

As for Steele, who is under increased pressure now that he has decided to shoot for another two-year term, Lazio said he believes the chairman “has some good points to make” following a strong GOP showing in the 2010 elections.

“Republicans picked up 60 plus seats in the House of Representatives,” Lazio argued. “Nancy Pelosi is no longer speaker. Republicans are in control.”

“They pick up seats in the Senate. They have picked up more state legislative seats than any time in the history of America in this last cycle. They picked up two governors, big governor’s seats, last year, picked up a whole slew of governors this year. If it’s about winning, Michael Steele’s got the ability to say: I raised money with Republicans out of power and this was a huge Republican year.”

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